Looking for a colored pencil class in Seattle that’s easy, step-by-step, and designed for total beginners? A class where you can learn how to draw in color using high quality pencils, in beautiful, vibrant hues? Our Colored Pencil class for beginners is a good place to start.

In this class, you’ll spend the day drawing in color, working from visuals created by the instructor, so you can work at your own pace, consulting with the instructor whenever you need help. Most students find it a fun, relaxing way to learn this interesting medium. Oh, and, the class is held in an art supply store. So you can bring your own materials, or buy the ones recommended by the instructor while you’re in the store.

Anyone can draw… this means you! In this fun, step-by-step class, aimed at total beginners, we’ll work our way through a number of exercises designed to train your eye, hand and imagination to work together as a unit, or a team. Most students notice striking improvement in their artwork as the class moves along.

Whether your goal is to be able to draw from life, photos, or imagination, the class will help. NOTE: You can bring your own drawing materials, or buy an inexpensive materials kit. More info about the kit

In this Seattle figure drawing class, you’ll learn how to draw realistic human figures using an easy step-by-step method, even if you’ve never drawn before.

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced artist, you’re welcome in this class. Beginners will learn some basics that will help you get off to a good start. Experienced artists have also told us they find this class helpful, to bring their figure drawing into better focus.

We’ll start out by drawing some simplified figures based on shapes such as easy-to-draw shapes such as ovals and cylinders; learn about the proportions; then learn how to add shading and details to make our figures look realistic and three-dimensional. Plus: how to draw hands and feet, how to show the figure in action, and how to draw both male and female figures.

Whether you like drawing just for fun, or draw or paint professionally, knowledge of perspective can make your artwork look more realistic and three-dimensional.

In this workshop you’ll learn the basics of one, two and three point perspective, and how to use some easy principles to enhance the realism in your drawings, paintings or doodles, create a sense of depth and environment, and solve some visual problems with easy solutions.

I was the redhead who drove in every week from Tacoma. It was worth it. You really have something going if you can take someone like me and turn me into an artist, well, a beginning artist anyway! But that’s way ahead of where I was. Thanks again Nils! – R.M. (Tacoma)

The class was well organized and you took us along step-by-step. – Mary J. (Redmond)

I liked the opportunity to learn the basics in a non threatening environment. (unsigned; comment submitted online)

Nils, Just wanted to let you know that I completed my application to the Game Animation Certificate program, and as of a week ago received notice of my acceptance. One of my portfolio pieces was a charcoal figure based upon one of the exercises from class – and of course, I’d never touched charcoal before meeting you. Thanks again for all the tips and encouragement! Your classes really helped polish my skills and boost my confidence a great deal. — J.C. (Seattle)

I loved Lonni’s class. She gave us room to experiment but also gave us lots of helpful information. – Beth G. (Seattle)

Your teaching style was a pleasure to learn by and I enjoyed your class very much.. – Ruth B. (Seattle)

Thanks for taking some time before the class to help me figure out which class I should take. You weren’t just trying to “sell” me a class, you helped me find the one that would be a good next step for me. – M.J. (Seattle)

The (Perspective Drawing) class was great. Something clicked about halfway through the course. I feel like I really understand it now. – Dave A. (Kent)

I took Drawing Faces and Portraits two weeks ago. I was honestly amazed. I had never drawn people before. I’ll be back for more classes in the future. – Theresa C. (Bothell)

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are all of your drawing classes open to beginners?

Yes. However, if you’re brand new at drawing, we do recommend that you start with “Drawing for Absolute Beginners” or “Learn to Draw in a Day.” But if you’re already comfortable with drawing and sketching, it’s fine to just take whatever classes look interesting, in any order.

What you learn in one class will make the others even easier, but they’re each meant to stand on their own.

Do students need to bring anything to the classes? Again, it depends. Some classes have free materials; others have a materials kit you can buy at the University Bookstore (near where the class is held).

Some of our drawing classes meet for several weeks — others are one day workshops, or “one night wonders” which are complete in on evening. All of them are fun learning experiences, and are great for beginners.

Which class or classes should you take? It depends on your goals. If you’re brand new to drawing, we recommend taking either Drawing for Absolute Beginners or Learn to Draw in a Day first… then take anything else that looks fun.

I was the redhead who drove in every week from Tacoma. It was worth it. You really have something going if you can take someone like me and turn me into an artist, well, a beginning artist anyway! But that’s way ahead of where I was. Thanks again Nils! – R.M. (Tacoma)

The class was well organized and you took us along step-by-step. – Mary J. (Redmond)

I liked the opportunity to learn the basics in a non threatening environment. (unsigned; comment submitted online)

Nils, Just wanted to let you know that I completed my application to the Game Animation Certificate program, and as of a week ago received notice of my acceptance. One of my portfolio pieces was a charcoal figure based upon one of the exercises from class – and of course, I’d never touched charcoal before meeting you. Thanks again for all the tips and encouragement! Your classes really helped polish my skills and boost my confidence a great deal. — J.C. (Seattle)

I loved Lonni’s class. She gave us room to experiment but also gave us lots of helpful information. – Beth G. (Seattle)

Your teaching style was a pleasure to learn by and I enjoyed your class very much.. – Ruth B. (Seattle)

Thanks for taking some time before the class to help me figure out which class I should take. You weren’t just trying to “sell” me a class, you helped me find the one that would be a good next step for me. – M.J. (Seattle)

The (Perspective Drawing) class was great. Something clicked about halfway through the course. I feel like I really understand it now. – Dave A. (Kent)

I took Drawing Faces and Portraits two weeks ago. I was honestly amazed. I had never drawn people before. I’ll be back for more classes in the future. – Theresa C. (Bothell)